Humidifier with truncated cones



Jan. 18, 1938. G. R. MAGNEY HUMIDIFIER WITH TRUNCATED CONES Original Filed Jan. 17, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR $027053 7f. /7/14Ms ATTORNEY Jan. 18, 1938. G. R. MAGNEY HUM IDIFIER WITH TRUNCATED CONES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 17, 1931 INVENTOR Jan. 1s, 1.938. R, MAGNEY 105,773

HUMIDIFIER WITH TRUNCATED CONES Original Filed Jan. 17, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Guru/5 If /%1/VE) ATTORNEY Jan. 18, G R M N 2,105,773

HUMIDIFIER WITH TRUNCATED CONES Original Filed Jan. 17, 193] 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 "L 4 I .1!" H I w W J W m,

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INVENTOR ATTORN EY Patented Jan. 18, 1938 STATES PATENT OFFICE Application January 1'7, 1931, Serial No. 509,359 Renewed November 18, 1933 19 Claims.

This invention relates to a humidifying device. Humidifying devices are coming into very general use, as it is now well recognized that it is very beneficial to have a certain degree of humidity in the atmosphere of living rooms. It is desirable to have a humidifying device arranged as a simple and compact unit which can be installed in hot air and other furnaces, in air ducts and in certain air treating systems.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a humidifying device which can be installed in furnaces and other forms of apparatus and which is in the form of a simple, compact, easily assembled and installed unit.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a humidifydng device formed as a simple unit and which comprises a plurality or series of members having spaced liquid receiving surfaces together with means for spraying liquid in finely divided form longitudinally of said unit, some of which may be deposited upon said surfaces.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a humidifying device comprising a unit having a series of spaced truncated cone-like members, said members being assembled substantially about a common axis, together with means for directing a fine spray of liquid longitudinally of said unit substantially in the line of said axis.

It is more specifically an'object of the invention to provide a humidifying device in the form of a compact unit having a plate at one end, a plurality of circumferentially spaced members 5 secured to and extending away from said plate,

a series of spaced annular members in the general form of truncated cones, preferably having their surfaces in the line of an ogee curve, said annular-members being held in place by said first mentioned members and secured thereto and being arranged substantially about a common axis, said unit having a conical member extending from said plate with its axis coaxial with said axis and its smaller end disposed substantially at the center of said plate, a nozzle extending through said plate substantially at the center and coaxial with said axis for directing a fine spray of liquid through said annular memhere.

It is still another object of the invention to provide such a device as set forth in the preceding paragraph, together with a drain trough at the bottom of said annular members.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a simple and compact humidifying unit constructed and arranged to be installed in a furnace or other apparatus having a spraying means therein, means for supplying heated water to said spraying means, and thermostatic means for controlling said spraying means.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:-

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the humidifying unit used;

Fig. 2 is a partial vertical section taken on line 22 of Fig. 1 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1, as indicated by the arrows from parts being broken away and others shown in further vertical section;

Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation of a furnace having the device installed therein;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section through said furnace and device taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken substantially on line l-'! of Fig. 6 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal vertical section through a Plenum air treating system .with the device therein;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on Fig. 8 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a view in side elevation of the air conduit or duct having the invention installed therein;

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section taken on line ll-l I of Fig. 10 as indicated by the arrows; and

Fig. 12 is a vertical section taken on line |2-|2 of Fig. 11 as indicated by the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1 to 4, a device is shown comprising the plate l5 having a cylindrical flange l5a at one side disposed some distance within the edge thereof. The plate [5 has an extension 151) of somewhat semi-circular shape at its bottom and a web I50 extends downward in substantially semi-cylindrical shape from the flange Ilia having an opening I5d therethrough. A plurality of bars l6 have their ends-secured to the inner side of flange [5a by the headed and nutted bolts I 1 and extend outwardly from said flange parallel to the central axis thereof. A series of annular members I 8 are provided, having the general shape of a trunline 9- 9 of cated cone, except that the surfaces thereof are formed on an ogee curve. The members l8 each have a flange |8a extending inwardly a short distance from their larger ends and in a plane perpendicular to their axes. The members'l8 are secured to bars I 6 by headed and nutted bolts l9 passing through members l8 and immediately inside of flanges ISa. An end member 29 is secured adjacent the ends of bars l6, said member being substantially the same form as members I8 except that it has a closed end 20a of ovoid form. Each member 8 and member 20 has a hole |8b punched downwardly therein, the metal being drawn downwardly about the hole to form a small spout |8c. A trough casing 2| is provided having a semi-cylindrical bottom "from which extend straight parallel sides, Said-sides having their ends 2|a bent inwardlytoward each other substantially at right angles. The ends 2|a are secured to flange |5a by headed and nutted bolts 22 and are sectu'ed to-each of the members I8 and to member 25 by headed and nutted bolts 23. The casing 2| fits within the opening |5d in the plate l5 and tapers toward its end remote from plate I5. A trough 24 having an open top fits within casing 2|, the same tapering in conformity with casing 2| and having a closed end at its smaller end portion and having aflange 24a at its larger end, which flange extends beyond casing 2| and abuts the outer side of plate l5 as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Flange 24a has secured thereto and leading therefrom a drain pipe 2417 which can be connected with any suit.- able drain means and which forms a handle by means of which trough 24 can, be withdrawn from casing 2|. A conical casing 26 has. its smaller end disposed in a small opening inplate I5 coaxial with the center. of said plate, said casing having its large end extending within the first member |8 adjacent plate I5 and having its end portion bent reversely to extend about and be secured to the smaller end of said member l8. A nozzle 21 projects slightly into the smaller end of casing 26 and is connected by a coupling, 28 to a pipe 29 leading from a magnetically controlled valve 30.

In Figs. 5, 6, and '7 the device shown in Figs. 1 to 4 is illustrated as installed in a hot air furnace. While the device is capable of application into various types of furnaces, in the embodiment illustrated, a more or less standard form of furnace is shown, comprising the outer shell 3| Within which is the fire pot 32 having at its bottom the grate'33. The ash pit 34 is shown below said grate having the usual door 35 at the front thereof. A draft and c1ean-out door 35 is shown above door 35 and a door 31 is shown above door 36 closing the opening 38 through which fuel is charged in the furnace. The chamber in casing 32 communicates with the interior of casing 39 through which the products of combustion pass to the smoke connection 40. A fresh air duct flange or connection 4| is shown at the rear lower portion of shell 3| communicating with the chamber about the casing 32, which chamber extends upwardly through the center of the casing 39 and into the hot air chamber42. Hot air conduits 43 extend from chamber 42 tov the various rooms to be heated. In installingthe humidifying device, an opening is made in the front of the furnace and plate IS with. the device assembled thereon as shown in Fig. 1, is disposed in the furnace in the chamber 42. The inner side of the plate l5 outside of flange |5aand the web |5c abuts the outer side of the furnace and can .coil 47 from a pipe 49 which may lead to the city water supply or any suitable source of water under pressure, said pipe being illustrated as having a manually controlled valve 56 therein. A mercoid control device 5| has a part extending through casing 3| and into the hot air chamber. This device 5| will be connected to and operate the magnetically controlled valve 30. Drain tube 24b in Fig. 5 is shown as connected to a drain pipe 52 which will lead to any desired place.

In operation, the furnace will be operated as usual with a fire in the casing 32. The products of combustion pass into casing 39 and out at connection 45. The air is taken into the furnace through member 4| and this air is heated by contact with casing 32 and by passing through the opening in casing 39 so that hot air passes into the chamber 42. The device including the members I8 will be heated substantially to the temperature of the air in chamber 42. The water supplied to coil 4'! will be heated, this coil being in contact with the top of casing 32 and the heat being retained to a large degree by the cover plate 48. When the temperature is sufficiently high in chamber 42, control device 5| will open valve 30 so that water will be supplied to nozzle 21, this water passing through strainer so that it is freed of all sediment or solid matter. The water is discharged from nozzle 21 in a very fine spray and this spray is directed through the various members 58. Some of the spray will be deposited on the surfaces of members l3 and these surfaces being hot, the moisture will be evaporated. The air will pass upwardly in the furnace through chamber 42 and out through the pipes 43. This air will pass between members Him a direction transversely of the axis along which they are arranged and over the surfaces of said members l8. This air thus passes through the spray and some of the spray will be evaporated and carried along with this air. The moisture evaporated from plates |8'wi1l also be carried with the air so that the air passing through the humidifying device and out through pipes 43 will have the desired degree of humidity. Should any moisture collect in suflicient quantities on the members |8, it will drain to the bottoms thereof and will pass downward through opening !8b of each of said members as well as of member 20 into the trough 24 and will pass to drain pipe 52. The control member 5| insures that no spray will be discharged when the temperature is not suificiently high to properly evaporate the same.

In Figs. 8 and 9 the device is shown applied to an air conditioning apparatus in the form known as the Plenum system. This apparatus comprises the casing 55 having an air inlet passage ing its edge extending about said opening. A pipe 59 leads to nozzle 21, said pipe leading from the thermostatically controlled valve 30. The pipe M connects valve 30 and strainer 45 and a supply pipe 60 extends to strainer 35, said pipe passing through one of the header tubes 58a of radiator 58 and being provided with a manually operable valve iii. The valve 3U will be controlled by a mercoid or thermostatic control device in the chamber within casing 55, or by a humidostat in the rooms to be conditioned.

When the temperature is sufiiciently high in chamber 55 orwhen the humidity in the rooms to be conditioned drops to a certain point, depend ing on whether the thermostat or humidostat control device is used, valve 39 will be opened and a fine spray of liquid will be discharged from nozzle 2'? through the members l8 as previously described. The air passing through chamber 55 will be drawn by the fan in casing through the radiators 58 as indicated by the arrow in Figs. 8 and 9 so that this air will be heated. The heated air will then pass through and around the humidifying device between the members it so that this member will be brought substantially to the temperature of the air. The moisture sprayed from nozzle 21 will as previously described, collect in some measure on the surfaces of members l8 and will be evaporated therefrom and carried along with the air as it passes between members l8 transversely of the longitudinal axis of the device. The air also passes through the shower of spray itself, so that some moisture will be carried away from the spray. The air is thus brought to the desired degree of humidity and will pass into the rooms to be conditioned. The water supplied by pipe 66 will be heated as it passes through the header of the radiator 58 and evaporation will be increased. The humidifying unit will replace the spray or steam supply commonly used with the air treating system shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

In Figs. 10, 11 and 12 an air conduit or duct 62 is shown through which heated air may be supplied to various rooms. The device is easily applied to such a duct and is shown disposed therein. An opening is made in the side of the conduit sufficient to receive the flange of member l5 and plate i 5 thus extends around the opening at the outer side of the conduit. The nozzle 21 is connected as before described to a magnetically controlled valve 30 to which a pipe 4 1 leads from the strainer 35. Water is supplied to strainer 45 from some suitable source of water under pressure by the pipe 63. A mercoid control device 64 has the portion Ma thereof disposed in the conduit 62 and this mercoid control device controls the valve 30. A drain pipe 66 leads from the tube 241).

In operation, the air passes through conduit 62 in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figs. 11 and 12. This air passes through and about the humidifying device and between the members !8 as above described. When the air is of sufiicient temperature, control device 64 will operate and open valve 36 so that liquid will be directed in a fine spray from nozzle 2! through the members I 8. The spray will be evaporated by the current of air passing therethrough and also by the current of air passing over the members I8 which will, of course, be heated. Should any moisture collect on the members I8, it will drain off into the trough at the bottom thereof and pass out through the drain pipe 66. The air is thus supplied with the desired degree of moisture and furnished to the rooms to be treated. Valve 36 could alternately be operated by a thermostat in the rooms to be'conditioned.

From the above description it is seen that applicant has provided a very simple and enicient humidifying device in the form of a compact unit which can be very easily applied to furnaces, air treating apparatus and air conveying conduits. The device operates very efficiently to supply the humidity to the heated air. The members it and 20 can be very easily and inexpensively made by being pressed out of sheet material in suitable dies. These members will preferably be made of thin sheet copper. The trough casing 2i and the trough 2 1 can also be readily made from sheet material. Plate I5 can be made either as a casting or from pressed sheet metal. The bars i6 and members l8 are securely connected and standard bolts can be used for the bolts 59. It will be noted that the spouts we will insure complete drainage and prevent moisture collecting in a pool at the bottom of members It? and 126. The control of the device by the heat of the air will insure that no spray will be delivered when there is not sufficient heat to properly evaporate the same. The device is very simple and as stated can be easily installed as a unit in the various places in which it can be used. It is apparent that the device will have a high degree of utility for the purpose intended.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts, without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which, generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A humidifier structure having in combination, a unit comprising a plurality of spaced members having liquid receiving surfaces, said surfaces being in substantially parallel relation, a plurality of bars spaced about said members extending to and secured to said members, and a plate to which said bars are secured and means for directing a finely divided spray transversely of said members whereby it may contact said surfaces and pass out between said members.

2. A humidifier structure having in combination, a unit comprising a plurality of axially spaced annular members having liquid receiving surfaces inclined to the axes thereof, means extending transversely of and secured to said members and spaced around the same, and a plate at one-end of said unit to which said bars are secured and means for directing a finely divided spray transversely of said members whereby it may contact said surfaces and pass out between said members.

3'. A humidifier structure having in combination, a unit comprising a plurality of axially spaceclannular sheet metal members having liquid receiving surfaces inclined to the axes thereof, a plurality of bars spaced circumferentially about said members and secured thereto, a plate at one end of said unit to which said bars are secured, said plate having an aperture therein, a conical member disposed between said plate and the adjacent one of said annular members, the smaller 'end of said conical member being adjacent to and surrounding said aperture and means for directing a spray or mist longitudinally of said unit substantially axially of said conical member.

4. A humidifier structure having in combination, a unit comprising a plurality of axially spaced truncated conical sheet metal members, a plurality of bars spaced circumferentially about and secured to said members, a member atone end of said unit to which said bars are secured, said members having drain means therebeneath, means for directing a finely divided spray or mist longitudinally through said members, a trough casing extending beneath said drain means and a trough supported in said casing.

55. A humidifier structure having in combination, a unit comprising a plurality of axially spaced truncated conical sheet metal members having curved surfaces, a plurality of connecting means spaced circumferentially about said members and secured thereto, a member at one end of said unit for supporting said means and members, means for directing a finely divided spray through said members substantially axially thereof, whereby said spray may contact said surfaces and pass out between said members, and liquid receiving means at the bottom of said members. i

6. A humidifier structure having in combination, a unit comprising a plate having a flange thereon adapted to project through an opening in a casing, bars secured to and extending from said fiange, and a series of sheet metal members disposed along and secured to said bars having spaces therebetween and having liquid receiving surfaces, said plate having an opening therethrough through which a nozzle may project for directing spray toward said members for engaging said members and passing out through said spaces.

'7. A humidifier structure having in combination, a unit comprising a plate having a cylindrical flange adapted to project through an opening in a furnace wall with said plate closing said opening, a plurality of circumferentially spaced bars secured to and projecting from said flange, a series of axially spaced annular sheet metal members secured to said bars and having liquid receiving surfaces inclined to said bars, said plate having an aperture substantially axially alined with said sheet metal members, a nozzle extending through said opening for directing a liquid spray through said sheet metal members, and means for heating said liquid spray.

' 8. A humidifying structure having in combination, a unit comprising a plurality of sheet metal members arranged in spaced relation along and extending about a. substantially horizontal axis, said members having liquid receiving surfaces inclined to said axis, means for directing a finely divided liquid in the direction of said axis, and means extending transversely of said members at the lower side thereof for receiving and con veying liquid draining from said members.

9'. A humidifying structure having in combination, a unit comprising a plate having a cylindrical flange adapted to project through an opening in a furnace casing with said plate closing said opening, a plurality of spaced annular members supported by said plate and disposed in alinement therewith, means connecting said plate and members together as a unit, and means for directing a finely divided spray through said annular members to engage the same and pass out through the spaces between said members.

10. A humidifying structure having in combination, a member having a portion adapted to-project through an opening in a casing, means secured to said portion and projecting into said casing, a series of sheet metal members disposed along a common axis having liquid receiving surfaces and supported by said means, said members being separated by appreciable spaces so that air can pass therebetween transversely of said axis and over said surfaces, and a nozzle projecting inwardly of said member to direct a fine spray or mist in the direction of said axis whereby some of said spray is taken up by said air as it passes transversely between said members through said spray and over said surfaces.

11. The structure set forth in claim 10, said sheet metal members being in the form substantially of truncated cones having ogee curved surfaces.

12. A hurnidifying device comprising a series of axially alined annular members having liquid receiving surfaces inclined to the axes thereof, said members being arranged along a common substantially central axis, and means for directing a fine spray or mist substantially axially of said members, said members being separated by appreciable spaces along said axis whereby air can pass therebetween transversely of said axis over said surfaces and through said spray.

13. A humidifying device having in combination, a series of sheet metal members having comparatively large openings therethrough, said members being arranged with said openings in alinement and with appreciable spaces therebetween, means for holding said members together as a unit, and means for directing a finely divided spray of liquid through said openings whereby air can pass transversely of said device between said members and through said spray.

14. A humidifying device comprising a unit having a series of sheet metal members each having a comparatively large opening therethrough, said members being arranged in separated relation with said openings in substantial alinement, a member at one end of said unit having a continuous surface, alined with said openings, means carried by said member for directing a finely divided spray or mist lengthwise of said unit through said openings, and a member at the other end of said unit having a continuous surface alined with said openings whereby air can pass transversely of said unit between said members and through said spray.

15. A humidifier structure having in combination, a unit comprising a plurality of plate-like members having surfaces disposed about a common axis and spaced some distance from said axis, means for directing a finely divided spray or mist in the general direction of said axis so as to contact with said surfaces, said members be ing separated by appreciable spaces in the direction of said axis, whereby air can pass through said unit between said members transversely of said axis and through said spray and carry moisture therefrom.

16. A humidifier structure having in combination, a member having a portion adapted to project through an opening in a furnace wall, means secured to said portion and projecting into said furnace, a series of spaced sheet metal members supported by said means and having liquid receiving surfaces inclined to the direction in which said means extend, a nozzle projecting inwardly of said member to direct spray along said sheet metal members, a trough casing extending beneath and secured to said sheet metal members, and a trough slidable in said casing and removable through said first mentioned member.

'17. A humidifier structure adapted to be used With a furnace having a chamber therein through which air passes comprising a series of spaced plate-like members having comparatively large openings therethrough arranged in alinement, said members being disposed in said chamber and constructed and arranged to have said air pass therebetween, means for projecting a spray of finely divided liquid transversely of said members and in the direction of said alined openings, means for controlling the supply of liquid to said means and means located in said chamber operated by the heat of said furnace for controlling said last mentioned means.

18. A humidifier structure adapted to be used with a furnace having a heated chamber therein comprising means for delivering a finely divided spray of liquid into said chamber for humidification, a magnetically operated valve for controlling said means, a thermostatically operated device disposed in said chamber to be operated by the heat of said chamber connected to said valve for operating said valve and means in said chamber for heating said liquid.

19. A humidifier structure adapted to be used with a furnace having a heated chamber therein in which air is heated which passes to the rooms to be heated, having in combination a humidifying device in said chamber comprising spaced members having surfaces thereon and means for projecting a finely divided spray to engage said surfaces, means for cont-rolling said spray and means Within said chamber operated by the heat of said chamber for operating said last mentioned means.

GOT'I'LIEB R. MAGNEY. 

